THE MINOR DRAMA. No. XXI. BOX AND COX. _A Romance of Real Life_ IN ONE ACT. BY JOHN MADDISON MORTON, ESQ. WITH THE STAGE BUSINESS, CAST OF CHARACTERS, COSTUMES, RELATIVE POSITIONS, &c. NEW YORK: DOUGLAS, NO. 11 SPRUCE ST AND FOR SALE BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. 1848. CAST OF CHARACTERS. Theatre, London, Olympic, Palmo's, 1847. 1848. 1848. John Box, Mr. Buckstone. Mr. Holland. Mr. Povey. a Journeyman Printer, James Cox, " Harley. " Conover. " Chapman. a Journeyman Hatter, Mrs. Bouncer, Mrs. M'Namara. Mrs. Henry. Mrs. Vernon. COSTUMES. BOX.--Small swallow-tailed black coat, short buff waistcoat, light drab trowsers short, turned up at bottom, black stockings, white canvass boots with black tips, cotton neckcloth, shabby black hat. COX.--Brown Newmarket coat, long white waistcoat, dark plaid trowsers, boots, white hat, black stock. MRS. BOUNCER.--Coloured cotton gown, apron, cap, &c. First produced at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, November 1st, 1847 Time in Representation--35 Minutes. EXITS AND ENTRANCES. R. means _Right;_ L. _Left;_ R. D. _Right Door;_ L. D. _Left Door;_ S. E. _Second Entrance;_ U. E. _Upper Entrance;_ M. D. _Middle Door._ RELATIVE POSITIONS. R., means _Right;_ L., _Left;_ C., _Centre;_ R. C., _Right of Centre;_ L. C., _Left of Centre._ BOX AND COX. ACT I. SCENE I--_A Room, decently furnished. At C., a bed, with curtains closed, at L. C., a door, at L. 3d E., a door, at L. S. E., a chest of drawers, at back, R., a window, at R. 3d E., a door, at R. S. E., a fireplace, with mantel-piece, table and chairs, a few common ornaments on chimney-piece. COX, dressed, with the exception of his coat, is looking at himself in a small looking-glass, which is in his hand._ COX. I've half a mind to register an oath that I'll never have my hair cut again! [_His hair is very short._] I look as if I had just been cropped for the militia! And I was particularly emphatic in my instructions to the hair-dresser, only to cut the ends off. He must have thought I meant the other ends! Never mind--I shan't meet anybody to care about so early. Eight o'clock, I declare! I haven't a moment to lose. Fate has placed me with the most punctual, particular, and peremptory of hatters, and I must fulfil my destiny. [_Knock at L. D._] Open locks, whoever knocks! _Enter MRS. BOUNCER, L._ MRS. B. Good-morning, Mr. Cox. I hope you slept comfortably, Mr. Cox? COX. I can't say I did, Mrs. B. I should feel obliged to you, if you could accommodate me with a more protuberant bolster, Mrs. B. The one I've got now seems to me to have about a handful and a half of feathers at each end, and nothing whatever in the middle. MRS. B. Anything to accommodate you, Mr. Cox. COX. Thank you. Then, perhaps, you'll be good enough to hold this glass, while I finish my toilet.